As an official of the Yin House, Dai Zi, though appearing proud and aloof, showed me considerable respect. After exchanging pleasant greetings, I stated my purpose and entered the workshop with the grandfather and grandson. It was essentially a small wooden room adjacent to a blacksmith's forge. The tables and walls were covered with blueprints for various firearms, all drawn with a brush, lacking rulers, giving them a somewhat archaic style.
On the table were also two detailed schematics of a cannon carriage, drawn with fine lines, perfectly horizontal and vertical, undoubtedly the work of Dai Lu.
Dai Lu could also speak, mentioning that, while fully drawing upon her ancestor's design, she had incorporated some of her own ideas to create a smaller rear-loading cannon. She then explained the principles to me.
While Dai Zi and Xie Bi'an were talking, Dai Lu secretly told me, "Actually, this is inspired by French artillery before the First World War!"
I nodded emphatically, understanding. I gestured for her to continue.
"The casting materials in the Yin world are quite good. We can cast the gun barrel walls thicker to prevent bursting. The gunpowder craftsmanship is also passable, not as good as in the Yang world, but with this rear-loading design, we can increase the range by three to four times, giving us a significant advantage over the enemy. The current problem is that I want to add a device here that allows the barrel to automatically retract after firing, to reduce the recoil. This would greatly improve combat rate of fire and shooting accuracy and stability."
"You mean, this device, it can't be manufactured in the Yin world?" I asked, not quite understanding. It looked like a small object similar to a telescope.
"Yes, it's a hydraulic cylinder with two pistons inside," Dai Lu demonstrated, "After firing, the hydraulic system uses the piston's travel to counteract the recoil, like this..."
I still didn't grasp it, but she was the expert, and I trusted her word.
I took out the set of paper, pens, and stationery that the fox demon had bought for me from my bag, including a protractor and set squares, mainly because it had a ruler, allowing her to draw the design as meticulously as possible.
"Lord Wu, oh, you are so thoughtful! We really needed this set of tools!" Dai Lu exclaimed excitedly.
Before long, she had drawn the design for the required hydraulic component, with detailed dimensions and specifications marked.
"First, we'll mass-produce these cannons in the Yin world. They can be fired normally at any time, and even if captured by the enemy, it won't be a problem. When we truly need to increase the firepower, we'll install this device, and it will surely give the enemy a huge surprise!" Dai Lu said confidently with a smile.
"This little thing, only half a meter long, can really be that miraculous?" I asked, holding the blueprint.
"Small things often possess great power," Dai Lu gave me the impression of someone who had dated before and understood many things.
"How many do you need?" I asked. This was even simpler than manufacturing a G98. Hydraulic components are considered high-tech in the Yin world, an unimaginable concept, but in the modern world, they are commonplace. Cars running on the streets have hydraulic shock absorbers next to each wheel, and the principle is similar. The component on this cannon is roughly equivalent to combining two shock absorbers in opposite directions and then welding them together. At least, that's how it appears.
"Not many, about two hundred," Dai Lu replied.
"Your cannon production capacity is limited, isn't it?" I inquired.
"Yes, manufacturing two hundred a month is already quite difficult."
I nodded. "Leave this to me. I'll try to get them to you within three days."
"That's wonderful! We can try fitting them and see if they work well, and we can also calculate the range tables for the new cannons in advance. Once produced, they can be directly transported to the battlefield."
I reminded her, "Don't always think of yourself as a designer. Don't forget your original profession, which is command."
"Thank you, Lord Wu. I will make the best use of my strengths as soon as possible!"
Becoming an engineer doesn't lead to rapid promotion. You need to go to the battlefield to demonstrate your abilities and qualities!
I carefully folded the blueprints and put them in my bag. Without delay, I decided to return to the Yang world immediately and have Shabiya start manufacturing these parts.
Xie Bi'an escorted me out of Jun Ying and asked if I could find my way back.
I chuckled and said, "I'm not familiar with the Yin world, I might get lost. It would be troublesome. How about it, An An, could you ride with me again, like when we came?"
Xie Bi'an pursed her lips and giggled sweetly, "Alright then, I'll trouble myself with another trip."